Best Psychology Programs in California (2026)
Psychology is one of the most popular bachelor's majors in California and nationwide. The schools below are ranked by program strength and graduate outcomes — important because Psychology bachelor's degrees pay best when paired with a graduate degree, and a strong undergraduate program matters for graduate school admission.
#1
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$28,849/yr
Median Earnings
$104,736
Grad Rate
93%
Psychology Share
5.8%
#2
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$12,548/yr
Median Earnings
$82,511
Grad Rate
93%
Psychology Share
11.6%
#3
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$13,481/yr
Median Earnings
$92,446
Grad Rate
93%
Psychology Share
3.3%
#4
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$14,251/yr
Median Earnings
$80,735
Grad Rate
86%
Psychology Share
12.6%
#5
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$12,470/yr
Median Earnings
$84,943
Grad Rate
87%
Psychology Share
9.1%
#6
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$16,665/yr
Median Earnings
$90,768
Grad Rate
86%
Psychology Share
3.0%
#7
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,741/yr
Median Earnings
$80,838
Grad Rate
85%
Psychology Share
10.7%
#8
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,109/yr
Median Earnings
$74,915
Grad Rate
84%
Psychology Share
10.3%
#9
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,333/yr
Median Earnings
$84,713
Grad Rate
77%
Psychology Share
7.1%
#10
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$48,381/yr
Median Earnings
$78,349
Grad Rate
79%
Psychology Share
7.4%
#11
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,555/yr
Median Earnings
$70,070
Grad Rate
81%
Psychology Share
8.2%
#12
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$14,304/yr
Median Earnings
$67,699
Grad Rate
76%
Psychology Share
10.8%
#13
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA
Net Price
$30,109/yr
Median Earnings
$68,712
Grad Rate
72%
Psychology Share
13.0%
#14
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$17,890/yr
Median Earnings
$68,396
Grad Rate
75%
Psychology Share
9.6%
#15
Menlo College
Atherton, CA
Net Price
$31,100/yr
Median Earnings
$76,419
Grad Rate
52%
Psychology Share
18.3%
#16
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$6,555/yr
Median Earnings
$62,951
Grad Rate
70%
Psychology Share
11.4%
#17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$11,531/yr
Median Earnings
$71,902
Grad Rate
68%
Psychology Share
6.2%
#18
California Institute of Integral Studies
San Francisco, CA
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$48,848
Grad Rate
—
Psychology Share
73.8%
#19
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,161/yr
Median Earnings
$65,464
Grad Rate
64%
Psychology Share
11.8%
#20
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
Net Price
$6,067/yr
Median Earnings
$63,188
Grad Rate
56%
Psychology Share
19.3%
#21
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$10,440/yr
Median Earnings
$64,403
Grad Rate
69%
Psychology Share
7.8%
#22
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$21,413/yr
Median Earnings
$72,379
Grad Rate
53%
Psychology Share
12.1%
#23
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$31,495/yr
Median Earnings
$56,778
Grad Rate
68%
Psychology Share
12.3%
#24
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,212/yr
Median Earnings
$66,677
Grad Rate
63%
Psychology Share
8.7%
#25
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,480/yr
Median Earnings
$64,172
Grad Rate
63%
Psychology Share
8.0%
Why a Psychology degree?
Psychology pairs well with healthcare, HR, education, and law. Strong undergraduate programs feed competitive graduate school placements that drive long-term earnings.
Common career paths: Clinical Psychologist (with grad school) · School Counselor · HR Specialist · Market Researcher · Social Worker
Typical starting salary range: $45,000–$70,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in California
Psychology programs in other states
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